Pressure packages

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a pressurized package of the class embodying a container for receiving a product, and propellant means in the container for discharging the product therefrom, said container having discharge means characterized by a cap mounted on said container for opening or closing an exit opening in the container depending upon the relative position of the cap, and a pressure chamber interposed between the cap and the container for returning the cap to its closed position with respect to the exit opening.

llnited States Patent mi Klema [54] PRESSURE PACKAGES [75] Inventor: Kenneth G. Klema, Racine, Wis.

[73] Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Racine, Wis.

[22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1972 [21] Appl- No.: 231,301

[52] U.S. C1 ..222/497, 222/514 [5 l] lint. CI. B65d 5/72 [58] Field of Search 222/70, 394, 398,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,913,152 11/1959 Vidauer... l.222/495 X 3,095,128 6/1963 Wonso 222/514 FORIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 729,705 12/1966 Italy 222/514 [451 May i, 1973 Primary Examiner--Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Larry Martin Attorney-Joseph T. Kivlin, Jr. et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT This invention relates to a pressurized package of the class embodying a container for receiving a product, and propellant means in the container for discharging the product therefrom, said container having discharge means characterized by a cap mounted on said container for opening or closing an exit opening in the container depending upon the relative position of the cap, and a pressure chamber interposed between the cap and the container for returning the cap toits closed position with respect to the exit opening.

- 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PRESSURE PACKAGES This invention relates to pressurized packages, and more particularly to pressurized packages characterized by a container for a product and a pressurized propellant for discharging the product from the container.

Heretofore, a substantial number and variety of dispensing assemblies have been developed for sealing various types of materials in containers and for dispensing these materials under various conditions. It is known to utilize a propellant for dispensing a product from a container in the form of an aerosol dispenser, for example. Such containers are generally equipped with a dispensing assembly operated by manual pushdown buttons which actuate a valve mechanism inside the container for discharging the container contents for as long as the button is held in its depressed position against a resilient force. Upon release of the button, the resilient force serves to close the shut-off valve and prevent further release of the product from the container. Such an assembly is shown in U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 2018, filed Jan. l2, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,738 and U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 901, tiled Jan. 6, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,355. The present invention involves improvements upon the construction and assembly of the apparatus of said applications.

It will be appreciated that the dispensing assembly for packages, as discussed hereinbefore, is fairly cornplex and presents an important element of the cost of producing aerosol packages. The contribution to the state of the art by way of this invention is a simpler and less costly construction. The new and improved pressurized package, according to the present concept, includes a container for receiving a product, and propellant material disposed in the container for discharging the product from the container. The container has discharge means which are characterized by a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid flow communication with the container, and a cap surmounted on the side wall of the container, said cap having a depending wall having a radial exit opening. A sealing pad is fixedly mounted on the inside ofthe depending wall of the cap adjacent the exit opening of the container for sealing the radial passageway of the container with respect to the cap when the pressure package is in its closed condition. When it is desired to dispense product from the container, the cap is manually depressed to align the exit opening and the passageway. The space between the container and the cap acts as a pressure chamber, and channel means are provided for carrying propellant material from the container to the pressure chamber, thereby to return the cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressant force. In addition, the expansive force in the pressure chamber serves to retain the cap in its closed and sealed position when the unit is not being used.

In one form of the invention, the dispensing assembly further comprises a top wall merging from the side wall of the container. The cap is mounted over the top wall and the depending wall of the cap overlies the side walls of the container. The cap is provided with a downwardly directed projection which penetrates the top wall of the container. A channel extends through the projection so that its upper end opens into the pressure chamber and its lower end opens into the confabrication the projection can be diametrically compressed when being pressed through the top wall of the container and thence spring back after insertion. When the package is in its closed position, propellant material flows through the channel up into the pressure chamber, thereby retaining the cap in its uppermost position, wherein the sealing pad on the cap covers and seals the exit opening. In order to discharge the container contents, the cap is manually depressed compressing the propellant in the pressure chamber, returning a portion of said propellant to the container and bringing the exit opening into alignment with the radial passage. Upon release of the manual depressing force, the propellant in the pressurized chamber forces the cap to its uppermost position, thereby to return the sealing pad to its sealing position over the radial passage to prevent the flow of product from the container.

In another form of my invention the cap has a depending wall which merges into a lower chamber wall, which in conjunction with the side wall forms the pressure chamber. A channel passes through the side wall forming a passageway between the pressure chamber and the inside of the container for the flow of propellant material. The chamber wall is fabricated from flexible material so that the cap can be flexed for purposes of opening the outlet means to dispense product from the inside of the container. The pressure of the propellant material in the pressurized chamber serves to return the cap to its upper position, thereby closing the dispensing opening of the container and terminating the discharge of the material.

There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be cluding such equivalent constructions as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Several embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a pressurized package constructed according to the concept of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial vertical cross-sectional view of a pressurized package showing details of the dispensing means when in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a pressurized package similar to FIG. 2, but showing the dispensing means when in its dispensing position;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line indicated at 3A-3A in FIG. 3, and showing details of the downwardly directed projection; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a pressurized package.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a pressurized package comprising a container having dispensing means, indicated generally at 12. The container has an upper sidewall 14 having a radial passageway 16 in fluid-flow communication with the inside of the container. The cap 18 is provided having an upper button or finger portion 20 and a depending wall 22. This wall has a radial exit opening 24, and an annular sealing pad 26 is mounted on the inside of the depending wall of the cap adjacent the exit opening 16 of the container for sealing the radial passageway of the container when the pressure package is in its closed or nonoperative condition.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a top wall 28 merges from the sidewall 14 of the container. The cap 18 is mounted over the top wall of the container and has a downwardly directed projection 30 which penetrates the top wall of the container, as at 32. The lower end of the projection 30 is provided with a flange-like portion 34 for engaging the top wall 28, as seen in FIG. 2, to prevent excessive upward travel of the cap. The top wall 28 is downwardly dished and a pressure chamber 36 is formed between the container and the cap. Channel means 38 extend through the projection 30 and serve to connect the chamber 36 with the inside of the container in fluid-flow communication when the cap 18 is in its upper or closed position. As seen in FIG. 3A, the channel 38 is in the form of crossed slots so that during fabrication the projection can be diametrically compressed when being pressed through the top wall at 32 and thence spring back after insertion.

In operation, when the pressure package is in its position as seen in FIG. 2, the cap is at the upper end of` its stroke and the sealing pad 26 covers and seals the radial passageway 16, thereby preventing the flow or discharge of product 39 from the container. The channel 38 is open between the chamber 36 and the inside of the container so that propellant material 41 passes therebetween to fill the chamber. It will be appreciated that the force of the propellant in the chamber 36, acting against the underside of the cap 18, retains the cap in its upper position.

When it is desired to dispense product from the container, the cap 18 is depressed by manually exerting pressure against the button or finger portion 20 until the radial exit opening 24 is in alignment with the radial passageway 16, as seen in FIG. 3. The propellant material in the container serves to discharge the product from the container. The channel means 38, in communication between the chamber 36 and the inside of the container, allows the propellant to circulate freely therebetween. Because the area of the upper surface of the chamber 36 is relatively small, the resulting upward force on cap 18 is small and easily overcome when a manual depressing force is applied to the upper cap surface 20. Upon release of the manual depressing force, the propellant pressure in the chamber 36 pushes the cap 18 upwardly from its position, as seen in FIG. 3, to its position as seen in FIG. 2, thereby returning the sealing pad 26 to its sealing position covering the radial passageway 16 to prevent the discharge of product from the container. It will be particularly appreciated that the closure process is effected in a simple and reliable manner without the use of spring members.

58 which is adapted to seal the radial passageway 48 when the pressure package is in its closed or nonoperative condition.

The depending wall S4 of the cap 50 merges into a lower chamber wall 60, which, in conjunction with the side wall 46, forms an annular pressure chamber 62. Channel means 64 pass through the sidewall of the upper member 42 of the chamber forming a passageway between the pressure chamber and the inside of the container for the flow of propellant material 6l. The chamber wall 60 is fabricated from flexible material so that the cap 50 can be depressed for purposes of opening the outlet means to dispense product 63 from the inside of the container. The lower ends of the cap 50 and the upper member 42 are fixedly attached to the container 40, as by means of crimping at 66, for example. A vertical passageway 68 is provided in the upper button or finger portion 52 to prevent buildup of pressure in the space 70 between the upper end of the container and the cap.

In operation, when a pressurized package is in its closed condition, as seen in FIG. 4, the cap 50 is at the upper end of its stroke and the sealing pad 58 covers and seals the radial passageway 48 to prevent the discharge of product from the container. During this time, some propellant material flows through the channel means 64 into the pressure chamber 62. The force of the propellant in the chamber 62, acting against the underside of the cap 50, retains the cap in its upper position.

When it is desired to dispense product from the container, the cap 50 is manually depressed by exerting pressure against the button or finger portion S2 until the radial exit opening 56 is in alignment with the radial passageway 48. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the propellant material in the container serves to discharge the product from the container. The channel means 64, in communication between the chamber 62 and the inside of the container, allows propellant to circulate freely therebetween. Because the upper surface area of the chamber 62 is relatively small, the resulting upward force on the cap 50 is small and easily overcome when a manual depressing force is applied to the upper button surface 52. Upon release of the manual depressing force, the propellant pressure in the chamber 62 pushes the cap 50 upwardly to its sealing position covering the radial passageway 48, thereby terminating the discharge the product theproduct from the container.

It will thus be seen that the present invention does, indeed, provide an improved pressure package which is superior in simplicity, economy and efficiency as compared to prior art packages.

Although certain particular embodiments of the invention are herein disclosed for purposes of explanation various modifications thereof', after study of this specification, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by letters patent is:

il. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a cap having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, sealing means on the inside of said depending wall adjacent said exit opening normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening and said passagewayfor dispensing said product from the container, a pressure chamber formed between said chamber and said cap, channel means extending between said pressure chamber and said container for the passage of propellant material to said pressure chamber to return said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on the cap.

2. A pressurized package according to claim l, wherein said container has a top wall merging from its side wall and said cap is mounted over said top wall, and wherein said top wall has an aperture and said cap has a downwardly directed projection passing through said aperture, and wherein said channel means is a channel in said projection having its upper end opening into said pressure chamber and its lower end opening into said container.

3. A pressurized package according to claim 2, wherein said channel is in the form of cross slots.

4. A pressurized package according to claim 1, wherein said depending wall has a lower chamber wall, the lower end of said chamber wall being fixedly attached to said container, and said chamber wall being fabricated from a flexible material.

5. A pressurized package according to claim 4, wherein said channel means is a channel extending through said side wall.

6. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a top wall merging from said said side wall, a cap mounted over said top wall, and having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, sealing means on the inside of said depending wall adjacent said exit opening normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening with said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, a pressure chamber formed between said container and said cap, channel means extending between said pressure chamber and said container for carrying propellant material to said pressure chamber to return said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on said cap, said top wall having an aperture and said cap having a downwardly directed projection passing through said aperture, said projection having a lower flange portion for engaging said top wall to prevent excessive upward travel of said cap upon release of said manual depressing force,

. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container', said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a top wall merging from said side wall, a cap mounted over said top wall having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, a sealing pad xedly mounted on the side wall of said depending wall adjacent said exit opening normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening in said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, a pressure chamber formed between said container and said cap, channel means extending between said pressure chamber and said container for carrying propellant material to said pressure chamber to return said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on said cap, said top wall having an aperture and said cap having a downwardly directed projection passing through said aperture, said channel means comprising a channel of cross slotted configuration having its upper end opening into said pressure chamber and its lower end opening into said container, allowing said pressure chamber to exert a constant closing force on said cap.

8. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a cap having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, a sealing pad fixedly mounted on said depending wall adjacent said exit open normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening and said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, said depending wall having a lower chamber wall fabricated from flexible material, the lower end of said chamber wall being tixedly attached to said container to form a pressure chamber between said lower chamber wall and said side wall of the container, a channel extending through said side wall between said pressure chamber and said container for carrying propellant material to said pressure chamber, said channel being dimensioned with respect to the size of said pressure chamber to retain a virtually constant pressure therein while said cap is being manually depressed for returning said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on said cap. 

1. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a cap having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, sealing means on the inside of said depending wall adjacent said exit opening normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening and said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, a pressure chamber formed between said chamber and said cap, channel means extending between said pressure chamber and said container for the passage of propellant material to said pressure chamber to return said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on the cap.
 2. A pressurized package according to claim 1, wherein said container has a top wall merging from its side wall and said cap is mounted over said top wall, and wherein said top wall has an aperture and said cap has a downwardly directed projection passing through said aperture, and wherein said channel means is a Channel in said projection having its upper end opening into said pressure chamber and its lower end opening into said container.
 3. A pressurized package according to claim 2, wherein said channel is in the form of cross slots.
 4. A pressurized package according to claim 1, wherein said depending wall has a lower chamber wall, the lower end of said chamber wall being fixedly attached to said container, and said chamber wall being fabricated from a flexible material.
 5. A pressurized package according to claim 4, wherein said channel means is a channel extending through said side wall.
 6. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a top wall merging from said said side wall, a cap mounted over said top wall, and having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, sealing means on the inside of said depending wall adjacent said exit opening normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening with said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, a pressure chamber formed between said container and said cap, channel means extending between said pressure chamber and said container for carrying propellant material to said pressure chamber to return said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on said cap, said top wall having an aperture and said cap having a downwardly directed projection passing through said aperture, said projection having a lower flange portion for engaging said top wall to prevent excessive upward travel of said cap upon release of said manual depressing force.
 7. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a top wall merging from said side wall, a cap mounted over said top wall having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, a sealing pad fixedly mounted on the side wall of said depending wall adjacent said exit opening normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening in said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, a pressure chamber formed between said container and said cap, channel means extending between said pressure chamber and said container for carrying propellant material to said pressure chamber to return said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on said cap, said top wall having an aperture and said cap having a downwardly directed projection passing through said aperture, said channel means comprising a channel of cross slotted configuration having its upper end opening into said pressure chamber and its lower end opening into said container, allowing said pressure chamber to exert a constant closing force on said cap.
 8. A pressurized package including a container for receiving a product, and propellant material for discharging the product from the container, said container comprising a side wall having a radial passageway in fluid-flow communication with the inside of said container, a cap having a depending wall overlying said side wall, said depending wall having a radial exit opening, a sealing pad fixedly mounted on said depending wall adjacent said exit open normally to seal said radial passageway, said cap being manually depressible to align said exit opening and said passageway for dispensing said product from the container, said depending wall having a lower chamber wall fabricated from flexible material, the lower end of said chamber wall being fixedly attached to said Container to form a pressure chamber between said lower chamber wall and said side wall of the container, a channel extending through said side wall between said pressure chamber and said container for carrying propellant material to said pressure chamber, said channel being dimensioned with respect to the size of said pressure chamber to retain a virtually constant pressure therein while said cap is being manually depressed for returning said cap to its upper position upon release of the manual depressing force on said cap. 